​TC Heartland LLC v. Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC,​ U.S., No. 16-341, amicus brief filed 2/6/2017 February 6, 2017

File Downloads

All documents are in PDF format.

The Federal Circuit correctly interpreted the general venue statute at 28 U.S.C. 1391 as providing a definition of “resides” in the patent venue statute at 28 U.S.C. 1400(b). 

Although the Supreme Court in Forco Glass Co. v. Transmirra Products Corp., 353 U.S. 222 (1957), found the two statutes worked independently, Congress changed the law in 1988 by adding to the general venue statute “for purposes of venue under this chapter.” The deletion of that phrase in 2011 did not return the law to the Fourcorule because it was replaced with the phrase “for all venue purposes.” Nor does the added phrase “except as otherwise provided by law” adopt the Supreme Court’s Fourco rule.

Upcoming Events

  • 2025 IP Practice in Japan Pre-Meeting - Rancho Mirage, CA

    January 27 to 28, 2025

    The IP Practice in Japan Committee is planning a pre-meeting before the 2025 Leadership Forum. The program will run a full-day on Monday, January 27 and in the morning for half-day on Tuesday, January 28.
  • 2025 Leadership Forum

    January 29 to 30, 2025

    AIPLA Leadership Forum – Elevate Yourself, Inspire the Future. This invitation-only two-day program will address building strong leadership skills for all levels of experience. More details coming soon.
  • 2025 AIPLA Spring Meeting

    May 13 to 15, 2025

    Save the Date! The 2025 Spring Meeting is a 2.5 day conference focused on trending topics in IP law. Registration opens February 2025.